Breaking down Canada’s 2025 World Junior Championship roster: cuts, standouts, line projections and more
OTTAWA – Canada has announced its roster for the 2025 World Junior Championship in hopes of getting back to the top step of the tournament ladder.
Canada completed its four-day selection camp at TD Place in Ottawa before heading to Petawawa, Ontario for training camp on Sunday. They played two games against U SPORTS, beating the all-star select team 6-2 in the first game before winning a quieter 2-1 affair on Friday.
The Canadians will play three exhibition games prior to the Dec. 26 start date, kicking things off against Switzerland on Dec. 19. They’ll play Sweden on Dec. 21 before wrapping things up against Czechia on Dec. 23, with Finland being the first team up when the event begins for real.
With the IIHF allowing teams to have 25 registered players instead of the usual, Canada will take two extra players this year. That bit of flexibility will allow them to get creative and try different combinations in a way they hadn’t been able to in the past – perhaps letting some of the key players rest against some of the weaker opponents.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about the roster:
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The Cuts
Matthew Wood, RW (Nashville Predators): He was a returning player, but was far from a lock. He struggled through the two games and took a penalty early in the second game to hurt any momentum the team had. It didn’t end up hurting Canada, but in an otherwise quiet showing for him, Wood just didn’t look anywhere as good as he did at this camp last year. The game-winning goal on Friday came a bit too late here.
Cameron Allen, D (Washington Capitals): Allen was a long shot to make Canada from the get-go, and the first game left a sour taste in the mouths of scouts. He just never looked comfortable with the puck, with giveaways being a big concern.
Zayne Parekh, D (Calgary Flames): Parekh was one of the later additions to this team, and after a good showing in the opening intrasquad scrimmage, it just looked like he tried to do too much with the puck. That got exposed in the first game when eh was outplayed by defense partner Sawyer Mynio, but then he just couldn’t get much generated in the second game. Parekh can do amazing things with the puck in the OHL, but the older, strong U SPORTS team made him pay.
Riley Heidt, C (Minnesota Wild): Just a completely underwhelming showing from start to finish. His best game was the intrasquad scrimmage – from there, he just looked invisible.
Andrew Cristall, RW (Washington Capitals): As a smaller point-producer, Cristall needed to bring more to the table to steal a spot somewhere in the middle six. He played well defensively, but had very little to show for with the puck and ultimately wasn’t good enough. Scouts just weren’t impressed.
Denver Barkey, LW (Philadelphia Flyers): Many believed Barkey did enough at camp last year to secure a spot, but he was ultimately cut. This week, he just never seemed that close to cracking the team. He had two quiet games where he did bring some energy, but he was nowhere as effective as other bubble players like Ethan Gauthier and Cole Beaudoin.
Beckett Sennecke, LW (Anaheim Ducks): Sennecke was excellent in the first game and was quieter in the second. He always had a tough road ahead, given he was a late addition – that, and there was plenty of competition to fill one of the final scoring roles. This was the most surprising cut in my opinion because I thought he played quite well. Plus, he’s a hot hand.
Scott Ratzlaff, G (Buffalo Sabres): Ratzlaff served as Canada’s third goalie a year ago, but always felt like a longshot to get the call this time around. He had a terrible first game against U SPORTS before bouncing back in the final game. Unfortunately for him, everyone else stood out the rest of the time, putting Ratzlaff on the back burner.
Standouts
Carter George, G (Los Angeles Kings): Could George become Canada’s starter? He certainly looks ready for the gig. He was excellent in the opening game and while he did allow a goal early in the second, there wasn’t much more he could have possibly done there. We’ll see how he performs during the pretournament because both Carson Bjarnason and Jack Ivankovic looked great, too.
Carson Rehkopf, C/LW (Seattle Kraken): It was hard to beat the Game 1 hat-trick, but Rehkopf spent so much time making moves in open scoring spots. That’s what he does so well – he’s almost always in the right spot at the right time. Rehkopf should see time on the power play, and I think we could see him play both center and the wing depending on the situation they need him in.
Tanner Howe, LW (Pittsburgh Penguins): Howe made a positive impression from the get-go. He was the best forward during the all-Canadian scrimmage, and then sat out the first game against U SPORTS. That was a good sign he made the team, but then they had him play on the power play and penalty kill on Friday and I thought he held up very well.
Who’ll provide the scoring?
This is a deep forward group, featuring three players with NHL experience – Cal Ritchie, Jett Luchanko and Bradly Nadeau. That’s just scratching the surface of what’s available, too. Berkly Catton is one heck of a point-producer and can play with just about anyone. He showed glimpses of brilliance alongside top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna – someone many expect to play a leading role on this team. The same goes for Porter Martone, who is one of the top prospects for 2025. His blend of skill, physicality and hockey IQ will make him a popular figure on this team.
Brayden Yager was one of Canada’s best players last year and had a fantastic final game this week. Look for him and his powerful shot to be utilized often. I like the idea of having him and Easton Cowan together – it feels like their playstyles will blend well.
This doesn’t include Carson Rehkopf, who is on pace for his second 50-goal season. Or Ritchie, who is one of the best playmaking prospects in the game right now. Or what about Luchanko, who has shown he can play with just about anyone? Don’t ignore Luca Pinelli, either – he’s on pace for over 50 goals, and he’s likely going to be thrust into an energy role.
Sure, Canada left off Michael Misa, the OHL’s top scorer. But on paper, scouts aren’t too worried about this team’s ability to generate offense.
Who I liked the most
One name that got a lot of scouts talking: Seattle Kraken prospect Caden Price. He was a bubble player heading in, with so many quality defensive options at their disposal. I thought he was one of Canada’s best pure defenders this week, landing some excellent hits and protecting his end of the ice as well as anyone. It’ll be interesting to see how the Canadians utilize the defensive stopper because he’s more than capable of producing points with Kelowna, even if that’s not going to be his role this time around.
Biggest surprise snub
It’s an easy one for me: Sennecke. I know he was a late addition, which put him at a disadvantage. But I really thought the big winger did enough to prove he can play anywhere in the lineup and be effective. I also thought his defensive game was impressive, too.
Biggest surprise addition
Ottawa 67’s coach Dave Cameron is the one leading this group, so he knows a thing or two about Luca Pinelli. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect is a big-time goal-scorer who isn’t afraid of anyone. Still, it felt like his addition to camp over someone like Misa was a bit strange, even if Cameron and Co. knew him well. I think Pinelli was actually one of Canada’s better players through the two games, playing all different types of roles and bringing a boatload of energy as a fearless 5-foot-9 forward.
Line Projections
McKenna – Catton – Martone
Cowan – Yager – Nadeau
Ritchie – Luchanko – Rehkopf
Howe – Beaudoin – Gauthier
Cataford – Pinelli
Dickinson – Bonk
Molendyk – Gibson
Mynio – Schaefer
Price – Akey
George
Bjarnason
Ivankovic
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